General information and discussion about cultivating all other edible garden plants.
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August 17, 2017 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 87
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Hickory Nuts
I have a huge Hickory tree in my backyard that has now started dropping nuts. Last year, I was late to the game, but was able to save some nuts and they were delicious! This year, I'm getting in on this earlier and racing against the squirrels. Does anyone have any advice on harvesting or using hickory nuts? I've got a lot of them with the green husk on. Is there a faster way to dry them out? I was thinking of throwing them in the oven or on the grill.
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August 17, 2017 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Western Ky
Posts: 282
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Time and Distance
As my grandfather used to say, put them up and leave them alone. Let them dry on their own. Once the hulls start splitting, pry off what you can and then wait some more.
We have a farm in the river bottoms with a small 20 acre woods on it. At one time it had dozens of 30 inch hickories with nuts bigger than silver dollars. My job was to collect the nuts and the squirrels. I got good at both jobs. To me, they make a better "pecan" pie than pecans do. They have a stronger, more earthy taste. It's a lot more work getting the meat out than pecans are, but worth it to me. A pick is pretty much required, they used to be sold just for hickory nuts. River bottom nuts need to be turned up on their side and cracked that way. Ken |
August 17, 2017 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 87
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Thanks for the advice, Ken! I will admit that I've already dried some on the grill. We'll see how they turn out. Otherwise, I will listen to your grandfather and let them alone.
I'm really excited to give these things a try! I have my eye on a cake recipe that I can't wait to try out. |
August 17, 2017 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 564
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I've never seen a hickory nut. By googling, they reminded me of how we dealt with hazelnuts.
As a child I used to help my mother going out into the woods and picked 100s of lbs of hazelnuts. They had green fuzzy hulls. We spread them on a paved section in the yard to let them dry out under the sun. Once the hulls turn brown and shrank, we used a long stick (twice as thick as a handle of a shovel, and longer) to pound them. The nuts will fall out of the hulls that way. Much quicker than peel them individually. This is also how we deshell dry beans, with a lighter treatment. Just an idea, it may or may not be suitable for your harvest. And good luck! |
August 17, 2017 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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I read a recipe in a book that wasn't a recipe book that had a recipe for some sort of Indian hickory nut drink.
I have the book but I have no idea what book it is in. The person said it was to die for. |
August 17, 2017 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 1,398
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There are lots of hickory trees around here, but have never heard of anyone eating them. Now black walnuts are plentiful too and those are excellent eating, but are a tough nut to crack. The squirrels love both.
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August 17, 2017 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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August 17, 2017 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 1,398
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August 17, 2017 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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We used to crack and eat them in the woods with rocks like cave kids.
Best nut ever. Worth |
August 18, 2017 | #10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 87
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Quote:
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August 18, 2017 | #11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 87
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Quote:
You think this is it? Sounds like it would be fun to try! |
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August 18, 2017 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 87
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SteveP, I agree with Worth, they are a phenomenal nut to eat. If you have the nuts, do it. The hardest part for me will be finding someone to crack them, but they're worth it!
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August 18, 2017 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 1,398
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I will see if I can find some this fall and give them a try. I am really surprised to hear they taste so good and I haven't ever known anyone that eats them.
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August 18, 2017 | #14 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Quote:
seems the guy that did it was a back woods man or something. Worth |
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August 19, 2017 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,818
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They are awesome. We had a hickory nut tree in thebackyard when i was a kid. Mom would gather them after they fell in an old sheet. The ones that already had dried and the husks were split we would crack and pick the nuts out. Any that were still too green would stay in the sheet hung up in the garage until the husks had dried and split. She stored them in the freezer and used in place of walnuts.
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